Bynum Speaks
Andrew Bynum says his right knee, originally hurt in September, is feeling really good. He also says his left knee is in constant pain.
Bynum Speaks
Bob Cooney
If you’re looking for good new concerning Andrew Bynum it is this: his right knee, the one that suffered the bone bruise in mid-September and was originally thought to be the lone reason for keeping him from putting on a Sixers uniform, is feeling great, ready to see how it will hold up to basketball activities, according to him.
But as has been the case since the first day of training camp, bad news was also shared when Bynum met with a gathering of media before Monday’s Sixers-Detroit Pistons game. While the right knee is doing well, the left knee, which he started feeling pain in after bowling last month, is not.
“My left knee is still really sore, right knee is actually better, so that’s good,” said Bynum, who last spoke to the media on November 25. “It’s just pain, just by walking around. Worst case scenario it’s another month.” He is scheduled to see doctors on December 20th. Asked if he was going to get an MRI (or two) at that time, Bynum said: “Probably so, I’m not sure yet but probably. There’s nothing I can really do about it. It’s arthritis in the knees, cartilage is missing so that’s not going to regrow itself. Maybe in the future, in the next three to five years maybe there’s something out there that really does help but for right now it’s really just a waiting game.”
The more Bynum speaks and the longer the mystery surrounding his knees goes on, one thing seems to becoming more and more clear – that these problems aren’t because of any move he made while working out or because of strain he put on the joints when bowling. It seems pretty evident that Bynum just has chronically bad knees that will probably warrant rest, treatment and uncertainty for the rest of his career.
“It’s just continuous pain,” he said of the left knee. “It’s just the bone bruise has to heal. It’s a mirror image of my right knee and my right knee took four months. I think we’re a little bit ahead of the curve because two months my right knee was swollen pretty big. So we’ve gotten the swelling out of that already (in the left) and I think it could be quicker. If my left knee gets better and feels like my right knee then I’ll be playing.
“As far as a threshold on the pain it’s more about, I think, protecting and being cautious about my knees. I feel this pain walking around so I think it would be kind of silly because if I start running or doing anything basketball (related) because it’s sure going to get worse. Until it heals up we’re being cautious and taking our time and giving it time to heal. If this was the Finals and it could be potentially the end I’d be helping this team win because I think that’s a serious time and you want to be a part of that. But other than that I don’t think, especially right now, it would be a good time to risk anything. Why risk it when you have time to come back and be 100 percent? My right knee is feeling really, really good. I would definitely test it on the right side. I think it’s more evidence that my knees weren’t right if they got hurt playing because it’s definitely going to happen if I play basketball (right now).”
So the waiting continues. And while Bynum said he has never thought about not being in a Sixers uniform, his patience is wearing thin.
“I think initially (he felt pressure from the organization to come back), but then I realized that I was the one putting pressure on myself, (it was) coming from myself,” he said. “So I just have to relax a little bit. Athletes are super impatient and being impatient would certainly be a detriment so I won’t do that. Game-wise I think it will be pretty quick (to get back in shape). Once I get back and to get in game shape I think it will be about a week or maybe two, at the max. But getting there is going to be the hard work.”
Yeah Andrew....sure. What a joke.— rockinrob- Sounds good. Time for the Sixers to max out that contract!! Yes, Im being sarcastic!!! Funny thing is that I've never seen a player scream in one article for management to NOT extend that contract.— Sewellmatt
- Andrew Bynum on January 10, 2013: "Worst case scenario it's another month."— PhillySubsMac
- So he says the right knee took 4 months to heal but the "bone bruise" happened in mid-September? It's just crazy to me that a guy can have arthritic/degenerative knees with what sounds like almost no cartilage, and yet the Sixers pass his physical probably no sooner than they started lining up chairs at the Constitution Center. I'd love to see the images of Bynum's knees the team looked at and concluded it was worth the calculated risk. What I want to know is were we sold on a wing and a prayer from the get-go?
- Bynum simply doesn't want to play in Philly. He could heal for a year, and he mysteriously wouldn't be able to play.— fmMD
- finally getting real information from the original owner of the knees. 300 pound 25 year old with severe arthritis in both knees. If there was any doubt it is now official: this is not a guy you can pay big money to long term.
However, there is also some good news from this interview. There is a good chance we see Bynum this year...which at the very least will make for an entertaining playoff run. There is also less risk now...as we know clearly what is going on with his knees BEFORE signing a contract and have an entire year to assess his true worth with that knowledge factored in. So now if he comes back and dominates we can consider paying a contract to a guy who can play at a high level with bad knees....as opposed to paying a max contract to a guy who tricked us into thinking his injuries were temporary. Give credit to Bynum....i don't know how much you can hide this....but admitting you have chronic (not situational) medical issues pre-contract is a major courtesy to this franchise.— murdock101 - The less attention you give Bynum the quicker he'll heal. He needs the press, so stop giving him the attention he wants without playing! In other words, ignore him!— M420
- i hope your afro gets bigger— stayoutofphilly
On the other side we have to look what NBA experts have probrably told Bynum: don't risk your career for the Sixers.- Here is the translation. I dont like this team. I'm going to fake an injury or Kobe set me up for the flim flam. Bynum is not going to play for the sixers. The Sixers gave up on a true 7 foot center who can play and play well.. sent another small forward with unlimited potential to orlando as well as a draft pick who remains to be seen while another draft pick of the sixers awaits in the Miami heats hands while Collins destroys the confident of another potentially great big sending him to idaho or east jablip because he doesnt like young players while relying on veterans players that have learned to hate him.— Zeru
- not sure that treatment he received in Germany isn't responsible for some of his problems. he played an entire season last year, but can't put on a uniform this year? even with 100M on the table? hope he stays with conventional therapy from now on.— fillyfan
- He will never play for the sixers.— Bartleby
- Uhh relax guys. Yes there's still a chance he will play, probably would see it towards a playoff-run. And it could potentially be a nice X-factor to have in the playoffs.— corporatehuman
- Is Bynum telling us he felt ok during that media circus when he came to town. How did he go from a potential franchise center to guy who can't walk without pain or bowl without injuring himself. There is a huge piece of this puzzle missing and someone from Sixers front office needs to explain to sixer fans why they gave up 1st round pick for what is clearly a player with advanced arthritis and no cartilage.— Tripod691
- How do posters come up with the diagnosis as advanced or severe arthritis? Bynum only said he had arthritis in his knees. The important part of his statement was that he was missing cartilage. He won't play this year or probably ever. The Sixer's got fleeced in the trade but nothing will be done about it because the Lakers were involved.— PsychoPathetic1
Bob Cooney has been at the Daily News for more than 20 years, working in the sports department for the past 15. This is his third season on the Sixers beat. He has covered just about everything, but mostly college basketball, where he was the La Salle beat writer for six seasons. E-mail Bob at cooneyb@phillynews.com and follow him on Twitter.
